Refillable color ink jet cartridge and method for making said cartridge

Abstract

A refillable color ink jet cartridge and method for making same is described. The protective cap on the non-refillable Hewlett-Packard cartridge #51625A (used in printing devices such as the Hewlett-Packard Desk Writer C) and similar cartridges is removed to access the color ink reservoirs to extend the service life of the cartridge. Once pried loose or otherwise removed, the protective cap is modified for convenient reconnection to the cartridge.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for making a user refillable ink jet cartridge, said cartridge having an upper portion and a lower portion and protective cap, said upper portion having at least one chamber for containing ink, said upper portion containing holes providing access to each of said at least one chamber, said cap being affixed to said upper portion such that said holes are covered by said protective cap, said method comprising the steps of: removing said protective cap from said upper portion of said cartridge;   modifying said protective cap so that said cap can be reconnected to said cartridge after said cap has been removed from said upper portion of said cartridge; and,   reconnecting said protective cap to said upper portion, whereby the user can replenish the ink by removing said modified protective cap and injecting the ink through a respective one of said holes into a particular one of said at least one chamber wherefrom said ink has been consumed.   
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of removing said protective cap comprises the step of prying off said protective cap from said upper portion of said cartridge utilizing a sharp utensil. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said protective cap and said upper portion of said cartridge are adhesively bonded together, said step of removing said protective cap from said upper portion of said cartridge comprises the step of dissolving said adhesive bond between said protective cap and said upper portion of said cartridge. 
     
     
       4. A method for making a user refillable ink jet cartridge, said cartridge having an upper portion and a lower portion and a protective cap, said upper portion having at least one chamber for containing ink, said upper portion containing holes providing access to each of said at least one chamber, said cap being affixed to said upper portion such that said holes are covered up by said protective cap, said method comprising the steps of: removing said protective cap from said upper portion of said cartridge;   modifying at least one of said protective cap or said upper portion of said cartridge whereby said protective cap can be secured to but still removeable from said upper portion of said cartridge; and   injecting ink through a respective one of said holes into a particular one of said at least one chamber.   
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step for modifying comprises the step of modifying said protective cap so that said cap can be reconnected to said cartridge after said cap has been removed from said upper portion of said cartridge, and said at least one chamber has been replenished with said ink. 
     
     
       6. The method according to claim 4 wherein said step of removing said protective cap comprises the step of prying off said protective cap from said upper portion of said cartridge utilizing a sharp utensil. 
     
     
       7. The method according to claim 4 wherein said protective cap and said upper portion of said cartridge are adhesively bonded together, said step of removing said protective cap from said upper portion of said cartridge comprises the step of dissolving said adhesive bond between said protective cap and said upper portion of said cartridge. 
     
     
       8. A user refillable ink jet cartridge assembly having an upper portion, a lower portion and protective cap, said upper portion having at least one chamber for containing ink, said upper portion containing holes providing access to each of said at least one chamber, said at least one chamber and said holes being covered by said protective cap, said cartridge assembly further including modifying means for modifying said cap or said upper portion, disposed on at least one of said protective cap or said upper portion of said cartridge whereby said protective cap can be secured to but still removeable from said upper portion of said cartridge so that when said ink is consumed during a period of time when said cartridge is in use, said at least one chamber may be replenished with said ink through said holes after said protective cap is removed by a removing means from said upper portion of said cartridge. 
     
     
       9. A user refillable ink jet cartridge assembly according to claim 8 wherein said protective cap is modified so that said cap can be reconnected to said cartridge after said chambers have been replenished with ink. 
     
     
       10. A user refillable ink jet cartridge assembly according to claim 8 wherein said means for removing said protective cap is a sharp utensil. 
     
     
       11. A user refillable ink jet cartridge assembly according to claim 8 wherein said protective cap is adhesively bonded to said upper portion of said cartridge, wherein said means for removing said protective cap include means for dissolving said bond between said cap and said upper portion of said cartridge.